It’s no secret that Saudi Arabia has a breathtaking landscape. And now, this has been recognised by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network as well. Well, we are talking about the fact that North Riyadh and Salma Geoparks in Saudi Arabia, have officially been added to this prestigious list. Marking a first for the country to be included in this international list, here’s all you need to know about this development.
North Riyadh & Salma Geoparks Join UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network
For those who are not aware, the UNESCO Global Geoparks are designated on the basis of their ability to balance the protection of natural landscapes with education. And Saudi Arabia’s North Riyadh and Salma Geoparks have now officially been added to this list. The key criteria for the inclusion of the destination in this list are as follows – strong local community involvement, opportunities for eco tourism, and environmental stewardship.
At this point, it’s worth mentioning that this incredible milestone coincides with the fact that the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network is celebrating its 10th anniversary. With the applications being reviewed annually by the board, this includes a panel of international experts.
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An Incredible Achievement!
Coming back to the North Riyadh Park in Saudi Arabia, it is home to fossil coral reefs. These incredible reefs date back more than 150 million years! Not only this, they also have limestone caves and extensive mountain ranges that one just cannot ignore. The Salma Geopark features a variety of geological and cultural landmarks. From Taba Heritage Village and Salma Mountain to Faid Reservoir and Darb Zubaidah, there are many such incredible landmarks that play an important role.
Not just Saudi Arabia, 16 new sites joined the network! So, this now brings the total number of geoparks across 50 countries to 229. It’s truly a moment of immense pride, isn’t it? So, what do you think about this development from Saudi Arabia?
Cover Image Courtesy: unesco.sharepoint.com
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